Everyone who follows me knows how much I support the sport, especially Jiu-Jitsu. And I have a special affection for athletes from Cidade de Deus.
Ever since I met Márcio, and all the work he does there, I have had a deep respect for the community, and for the difficulties faced by residents.
However, last week I received with deep regret the death of a teenager shot by the military police in Rio de Janeiro.
Thiago Menezes Flausino was shot dead in the early hours of August 7th. And the versions about the crime are quite contradictory, turning on the warning signal of society.
Disastrous action by the military police
I have great respect for the military police in Brazil, but I think it’s past time for there to be a restructuring within the organization.
Clearly, what was seen was a lack of preparation by the police. Thiaguinho, as he was known, was only 13 years old. His crime? being poor and brown in the country.
Yes, I was once poor in Brazil. I’m not brown, I’m black. And I know what life is like for the poor and black in the country. I know how the police treat us in any suspicious attitude.
Thiaguinho had just gone for a walk. He wasn’t the police’s first victim, and he won’t be the last. And then I ask: how long will we have to tolerate this?
I see many people from the upper middle class, who don’t know what it’s like to be poor and black, don’t know what life is like in a community, say: there is no such thing as a victim of society.
Thiaguinho is what then? If he who had dreams of being a professional athlete, of growing up honestly, he is not a victim of this system, then stop the world now, I need to get down.
Case is being investigated
This fact that I narrated above saddens me a lot. When I go to Jiu-Jitsu tournaments I have direct contact with athletes from Cidade de Deus. And I imagine what it would be like if that happened to any of them.
I know that the Civil Police is investigating the case, the weapons of the agents involved in the action were seized and the expertise was carried out on the spot. I hope the case is really clarified.
However, what I most want from my heart is for this type of action to stop happening. I no longer want to see young athletes lost to crime.
I see that Brazil faces a serious case of social disruption. In Ireland, for example, the police don’t even need to carry a gun. And still guarantees the safety of the population.
I understand that there is no way to compare one country with another. However, what cannot continue to happen are young people dying in disastrous actions like this one. Young people who had a bright future ahead of them. Do you agree?
